In today’s feast of the Holy Trinity we celebrate a truth that separates us from people of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. They, like us, believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We also believe that this same God of our fathers so loved the world that He sent His Son to the world and the Son so loved us He gave His life for us. Last week we celebrated the wonder of Father and Son sending their Spirit to the church. That Spirit of truth guides us into all truth.
I hope you’re not expecting me to explain the Trinity to you. That’s not going to happen. Even when we see God face to face and know God as God is, we will be mystified by the wonder of God. God is beyond the limited capabilities of our human minds.
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Archive for the ‘Homily’ Category
Homily – May 30
Sunday, May 30th, 2010Homily – May 23
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010The Jewish feast of Pentecost was a harvest feast of thanksgiving. Pentecost celebrated the ripening of the spring wheat and grains. Pentecost was the occasion when farmers recognized their radical dependence on God’s care as God sent sun and rain to bring about the fruitfulness of the land. On Pentecost grateful farmers offered to God what earth had given and human hands had made. (more…)
Homily – May 16
Sunday, May 16th, 2010In today’s gospel we find ourselves on the Mount of Olives. It is from this significant place Jesus takes his physical, visible leave of the apostles. From that windswept place He could see the holy city Jerusalem. He could see the road he traveled in triumph into that city on that day we call Palm Sunday. It was on this mountain he wept over Jerusalem, grieving that its people refused to accept the gracious time and teaching he offered them. Looking down from the mountain Jesus could see the Garden of Gethsemane where, sweating blood, he prayed for his life. It was there he was betrayed by Judas, abandoned by Peter and the others and the events of his passion and death began to unfold. (more…)
Homily – May 9
Sunday, May 9th, 2010Today is Mother’s Day and as I say every year to mothers, ‘milk it for all its worth.’ This is the day restaurants and florist make out like bandits. Just as every day should be Thanksgiving Day so too every day should be Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. It’s true we set aside one day of the year to honor our mothers and fathers but it would be wonderful if we had a constant sense of gratitude and appreciation for what our mothers and fathers have done for us. Sadly some people may not have had the best of relationships with their mother or father; some people have grown up in what can only be called dysfunctional families. This is a sad reality and we keep such people in our thoughts and prayers. (more…)
Homily – May 2
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010Have you ever had the experience of waiting and watching and praying as someone you love lay dying? They may have been in a coma or in and out of consciousness. You think every breath is their last but still they hand on. At last they slip away and it is over. If the person is conscious and somewhat alert his/her words are especially important. Often these last words express their love for the family, their concern that all will be well, ‘take care of your mother, take care of your father, and keep the family together’. Last words may be asking for forgiveness, understanding. But these final words are treasured, remembered and repeated by the person’s survivors. (more…)
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
